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Tag: Auditor-General

  • Reps summon auditor-general over NNPC fuel subsidy payment documents

    Reps summon auditor-general over NNPC fuel subsidy payment documents

    The House of Representatives has summoned the Auditor-General of the Federation (AGF) to appear before it on Aug. 30, for an explanation of fuel subsidy payments between 2013 and 2022.

    The lawmakers want the auditor-general to provide documentary evidence on the audit carried out on the monies spent on fuel subsidy by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Ltd.

    Rep. Ibrahim Aliyu, the Chairman, Special ad hoc Committee investigating the fuel subsidy, issued the notice in Abuja on Thursday.

    Aliyu made this known during the scrutiny of documents submitted by the representative of the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGoF), Mr Okolieaboh Sylvia.

    The AGoF was represented by the Director, Federation Accounts, Mr Mohammed Saleh.

    The lawmakers also directed the office of the AGoF to provide relevant financial transactions on the fuel subsidy for the period under review.

    In its bid to ensure fair hearing as enshrined in the law, the committee said it was expecting the AGoF to appear before it on Sept. 8 with relevant documents.

    The committee tasked the AGoF on the need to have an independent monitoring mechanism to verify the veracity of the transactions.

    The committee also expressed the need for the office of the AGoF to ensure due diligence by verifying the transaction documents submitted by all government agencies in line with its functions as spelt out in the Act.

    Rep. Mark Gbillah (PDP-Benue) after thoroughly scrutinising the documents, identified some discrepancies in the amount computed in the NNPC documents.

  • Senate confirms Buhari’s nomination for Auditor General of the Federation

    Senate confirms Buhari’s nomination for Auditor General of the Federation

    The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the nomination of Mr Aghughu Adolphus Arhotomhenla by President Muhammadu Buhari for the position of Auditor General of the Federation.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the confirmation followed a motion moved by Senator Matthew Urhoghide for the Senate to consider the report of the Committee on Public Account on the confirmation of Adolphus’ nomination by Buhari.

    Recall that the request by Buhari to confirm Adolphus as Auditor-General of the Federation was contained in a letter dated January 12, 2021, and read during plenary by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.

    According to President Buhari, the appointment of the nominee was pursuant to section 86(1) of Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

    Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia seconded the motion to confirm Adolphus following the presentation of the report by the Committee on Public Account.

    Senator Urhoghide laid and presented the report of the Committee on Public Account on the Confirmation of the Nomination of Mr. Aghughu Adolphus Arhotomhenla for Appointment as Auditor -General for the Federation.

    The Senate then resolved to Committee of the Whole to consider the report of the Committee on Public Account on the Confirmation of the Nomination of Mr. Aghughu Adolphus Arhotomhenla for Appointment as Auditor -General for the Federation.

    After reverting to plenary to report progress, the nomination of Mr. Aghughu Adolphus Arhotomhenla was confirmed.

    Meanwhile, Senate President Lawan argued on the need for the Auditor-General to have an office complex like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) complex where he can accommodate all his staff and perform optimally.

    He states that the headquarters of the audit house where the Auditor-General with his staff work is still not befitting enough.

    “The Senate wishes the new Auditor-General well, but let me also say that the National Assembly must ensure the Auditor-General remains truly autonomous and independent.

    “We achieved so much by giving the Auditor-General a financial autonomy which he requires but I think we can do better as a government.

    “The Headquarters of the Audit House where the Auditor-General with his staff works is still not befitting. The Auditor-General needs an office complex like the EFCC Complex where he can accommodate all his staff.

    “We need to do a lot more to support the Auditor-General to be a lot more effective and efficient,” Lawan said.

  • Ayine retires as Nigeria’s Auditor-General

    Ayine retires as Nigeria’s Auditor-General

    The Auditor-General of the Federation (AuGF), Mr Anthony Ayine, has retired from service.

    Recall that Ayine was appointed the AuGF on Jan. 12, 2017 by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    A statement signed by Mr Rotimi Ajayi, on Thursday in Abuja, said that the most senior director in the office, Mr Adolphus Aghughu, would take charge until a substantive Auditor-General is appointed.

    During his stewardship, he carried out several specialised audits ranging from the Integrated Personnel Payment System; Government Integrated Financial Management and Information; and the Nigerian Immigration Service e-passport system.

    Ayine also ensured strong collaboration with local and international stakeholders at the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions and African Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions.

    He also initiated the Audit Act to help empower the Auditor-General’s office to effectively discharge its responsibility of ensuring government’s accountability to its citizens.

  • JUST IN: Umahi suspends Auditor Generals indefinitely

    JUST IN: Umahi suspends Auditor Generals indefinitely

    Ebonyi Governor David Umahi on Monday indefinitely suspended the State AUditor General, Innocent Nweda with immediate effect.

    He also suspended the Auditor General for local government in the state, George Ukpai.

    Secretary to the State Government(SSG) Kenneth Ugbala announced this in a statement in Abakaliki, the state capital.

    The statement said their suspension was as a result of their failure to perform duties of their offices.

    The Governor, according to the statement, accused the two officers of failure to prepare and produce the annual audited accounts of the State and Local government.

    Umahi further directed that Nweda should hand over to the next most senior officer in rank.

    He also directed one Dr U. A. Udu should take over as Acting Auditor General for local government until further notice.

    “All handover and takeover should be concluded before the close of work on Monday 13 July 2020,” the statement added. Ends

  • JUST IN: Gov. Okowa nominates Auditor General, 7 new commissioners

    JUST IN: Gov. Okowa nominates Auditor General, 7 new commissioners

    Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta, on Tuesday, forwarded to the State House of Assembly, seven additional nominees for screening and confirmation as Commissioners and members of the state Executive Council.
    The names of the nominees were contained in a letter read by the Speaker of the House, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, during plenary in Asaba.
    The nominees are Mr Lawrence Ejiofor, Chief Barry Gbe, Chief Julius Egbedi, Chief Fidelis Tilije, Mr Churchill Amagada, Mr Arthur Akpowhowho and Mr Martins Okonta, former speaker of the house.
    The governor, last week, sworn-in eight commissioners, including Chief Patrick, former Commissioner for Information, who had earlier said been cleared by the house.
    Okowa said in the letter that the nomination of the would-be commissioners, was in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 192 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
    He said that he would appreciate if early action was taken by the house to confirm the nominees to enable him to effect the appointments.
    The Majority Leader, Mr Tim Owhefere, moved a motion for the house to receive the letter for further consideration.
    The motion which was unanimously adopted when put to a voice vote, was seconded by Mr Charles Emetulu (PDP-Ndokwa West).
    Consequently, the speaker directed the nominees to submit 35 copies of their Curriculum Vitae each to the office of the Clerk of the House and appear for screening on Thursday.
    Also at plenary on Tuesday, the house screened and confirmed the nominees sent to it by the governor for appointment as members of the Delta State Judicial Service Commission.
    The screened and confirmed members of the commission were Mr Joseph Ojobu and Chief James Obeuwou.
    The screening of the nominees followed a motion moved by the majority leader, and seconded by Mr Pullah Ekpotuayer, representing Burutu II Constituency.
    The nominees were asked to take a bow and go based on their antecedents in their profession as well as contributions to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
    The house also received another letter from the governor, forwarding a nominee, Mr Paul Aghanenu, for screening and confirmation as the state Auditor General.
    The governor said that the nomination became necessary, following the retirement of the former auditor general, who attained the mandatory retirement age of 60.

  • Auditor-General queries State House, Budget Office, 306 others for spending N149b illegally

    The Auditor-General for the Federation, Mr Anthony Ayine, has queried 308 Ministries, Department and Agencies of government over extra-budgetary spending of N149.5bn in 2016.

    This is contained in the 2016 annual report of the Auditor-General for the Federation, which was obtained by our correspondent on Sunday in Abuja.

    The 2016 audit report is the latest to be prepared by the OAGF for all the MDAs.

    The report was submitted to the National Assembly in June through a letter to the Clerk of the National Assembly, with reference C/AR.2016/CONF/VOL.1/01.

    The report signed by Ayine, stated that the N149.5bn extra-budgetary expenditure by the 308 MDAs was a symptom of poor budgeting and accounting.

    Some of the indicted MDAs are the National Centre for Women Development, with N3.82bn; National Emergency Management Agency, N10.48bn; Police Service Commission, N283.3m; and Tertiary Education Trust Fund, N1.12bn.

    Also, National Primary Health Care Development Agency had extra-budgetary expenditure of N18.17bn; State House Operations-Vice President, N78.9m; Ministry of Petroleum Resources, N182.7m; Federal Civil Service Commission, N20.8m; Budget Office of the Federation, N96.5m; and Department of Petroleum Resources, N5.2bn, among others.

    The report read in part, “Our examination of the consolidated statement of financial performance and the accompanying Note 13 revealed that 308 MDAs incurred extra-budgetary overhead expenditure of N149,509,623,789.40 in 2016 as their actual overhead expenditure overshot their appropriated budget for overhead costs.

    “We, however, note that the total overhead expenditures of N670,827,528,970.26 shown on the statement of financial performance is far lower than the total appropriation for overheads for 2016 at N1,014,145,686,504.48.

    “The extra-budgetary expenditure of N149.509,623,789.40 by some MDAs on overheads is a symptom of poor budgeting and accounting.”

    Apart from the extra-budgetary spending, the report stated that an examination by the office also revealed that the sum of N12.08bn was transferred in cash to outstation offices and was not made available for the purpose of audit.

    The AGF in the report lamented that despite audit queries raised by the office asking for clarifications from the agencies, many of them never responded.

    Ayine said, “The MDAs and their accounting officers are reverting to the situation in the past where they did not promptly respond to audit observations.

    “I am concerned about this development, which is a major setback to our accountability process. Where accounting officers fail to respond to audit queries, the implication is that they have no explanation to offer.”

     

  • Provide audit reports on TSA in six weeks, Reps tell CBN, Auditor General

    The House of Representatives on Wednesday mandated the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation (OAGF) six weeks to provide it with detailed reconciliation and audit reports of the amounts generated so far in the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

    The House said it’s ultimatum was necessitated by the need to know the current and true status of the TSA going by reports that not all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) have complied with the August 2015 directives of the Federal government on the policy.

    The Abubakar Danburam-led ad-hoc committee investigating the status of the TSA said the November 10 deadline is sacrosanct, adding that all money banked in the country are not excluded as long as they have MDAs’ account with them.

    The Committee held a closed door meeting with officials from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), Auditor General’s office as well as CBN and some commercial banks.

    According to the Chairman, the Committee was forced to take the decision following the revelation of the Director of Funds, Accountant General’s office Alexander Adeyemi that there were still leakages in collecting funds from agencies despite the existence of TSA.

    It would be recalled that the Committee was told last month that the TSA has not been audited by the office of the Auditor General since its inception two years ago.

     

  • Senate confirms Anthony Mkpe as Auditor-General of the Federation

    Amidst petitions from various quarters, the Senate on Wednesday confirmed the nomination of Mr. Ayine Anthony Mkpe as the Auditor-General of the Federation.

    This was even as the Senate confirmed the receipt of petitions against the nominee with some Senators also standing on his way of confirmation.

    The Senate had at its plenary session on Wednesday, 14th December, 2016 considered the request of President Muhammadu Buhari for the confirmation of the appointment of Mr. Ayine Anthony Mkpe to take over the office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.

    Consequently, the Senate, after careful deliberations referred the request to the Public Accounts Committee, for further legislative action.

    Presenting the report of the Committee at the Wednesday’s plenary, the Chairman, Senator Andy Uba said, “the committee examined his educational qualifications, career progression, experience, character, federal character principles, understanding of the functions of the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, etc”.

    Senator Uba, however, submitted that his committee did receive a couple of petitions against the nomination of Mr. Mkpe.

    He said one of the petitioners stated that, “Mr. Ayine Anthony Mkpe is an Auditor-General for Local Governments with less scope than what he is going to meet.”

    Another petitioner, according to the report, also averred that the nominee was not up to the rank of a Director in the civil service, whereas, “there are Senior Directors in the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation that are qualified for the appointment.”

    According to them, “the appointment of Mr. Ayine Anthony Mkpe will lower the morale of existing staff”.

    On her part, Senator Binta Garba Masi (Adamawa North) vehemently kicked against the nomination of Mr. Mkpe on the ground that he is a cousin to the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. (Mrs). Eyo Eta.

    She also maintained that the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Ononge comes from the same state with Mr. Mkpe and as such, would negate the spirit of Federal Character.

    The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, however, objected to the submission of Senator Binta, stressing that Mr. Mkpe was qualified for the position and his relationship with the aforementioned was inconsequential.

    “This position was advertised nationally and internationally and many people applied for it, wherein the man came top.

    “He was the best in capability, he was the best in competency and also professionalism. He also came top in oral interview. We are not confirming promotion here, we are confirming an appointment, which was sent to us by the President,” Akpabio said.

    He also explained that, “Being an Auditor-General for Local Governments doesn’t mean Mr. Mkpe was an Auditor for a single local government area, but a supervising Auditor-General for all the local government areas in the state”.

    “He is also on a consolidated salary as Permanent Secretary in the State”, he added.

    While lending his voice in support of the nomination, Senator George Sekibo (Rivers West) said the office of the Auditor-General of the Federation was meant for a professional and the issues for determination should be, whether the nominee was qualified for the job, and whether the President has the power to appoint him.

    “If the answers are in the affirmative, then the man should be confirmed,” Sekibo said.

    In his ruling, the deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who was presiding over the plenary, cautioned members of the Senate and the general public to be careful in the way they lay allegations or write petitions against seemingly qualified nominees of any position.

    He added that the nominee for the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation and the Head of Service of the Federation come from different geographical constituencies and, “even if they are related, it doesn’t preclude him from taking up the appointment, if he is qualified”.

    “What we have done here today, is in alignment with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and our standing rules,” Ekweremadu ruled.